Prohm Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

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India

India--Cambodia Co Cambodia Co--operation Project operation Project Conservation of Ta Prohm Temple Complex

Devender S. Sood

Conservation and Restoration of Angkor Wat and Ta

Prohm Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

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Conservation and Restoration of Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Introduction – ASI’s foray in Cambodia

Conservation works – Angkor Wat (1986 – 93)

Ongoing Conservation Works – Ta Prohm (2004 onwards)

Outline of the presentation

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Source: Ta ProhmTemple –A Conservation Strategy, ASI, 2006

Fact File:

Cambodia is primarily a large depressed basin and a major part of the country is covered with tropical evergreen forest;

Hot and Humid Climate;

Bordered by Thailand, Vietnam and Laos;

Capital: Phnom Penh;

Tourism the main contributor to the Cambodian Economy;

Angkor region in proximity to the

great Lake Tonle Sap, fed by the

waters of Mekong river

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India – Cambodia ( Kambujadesha ) cooperation goes back to approx 5

^th

– 6

^th

Century CE;

Trade and Commerce established cultural relations between the two regions;

Khmer emperors (9

^th

– 15

^th

Cen CE) adopted Indian religions, Hinduism and Buddhism, and patronised art and architecture reflecting tenets of Indian iconography and architecture; Many temple complexes within the Angkor region;

Government of India’s cooperation with the R.G of Cambodia continues from mid-1980s by providing technical assistance for the conservation of Angkor Wat (1986 – 93) and Ta Prohm (2004 – till date)

India – Cambodia Cooperation

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Conservation and Restoration of Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm Temple,

Siem Reap, Cambodia

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Conservation and Restoration of Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm Temple,

Siem Reap, Cambodia

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Conservation and Restoration of Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

jj

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Conservation and Restoration of Ta Prohm

Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

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Conservation and Restoration of Ta Prohm Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Background

Project launched in February 2004 by Secretary Culture, India;

Funded by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India;

Currently team from Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)

is working onsite.

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Conservation and Restoration of Ta Prohm Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Concentric in plan having five rectangular

enclosures with gopuras (gateways) and moats.

The statue of

“Prajnaparamita”

personification of mother of Buddha was placed in

the central shrine.

Located to the North east of the famous Angkor Vat

temple enclosed within an area of 1105m x

663.00m

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Conservation and Restoration of Ta Prohm Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

GOPURA ON FOURTH ENCLOSURE (EAST), TA - PROHM, TEMPLE

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Conservation and Restoration of Ta Prohm Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

The Entwining Tree Roots, TA- PROHM, TEMPLE

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Conservation and Restoration of Ta Prohm Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Stagnated Water in TA-PROHM,TEMPLE

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Conservation and Restoration of Ta Prohm Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Stagnated Water in TA-PROHM,TEMPLE

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Conservation and Restoration of Ta Prohm Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Wooden Bye-pass Bridge over Outer Moat (West side), Ta- Prohm ,Temple

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Conservation and Restoration of Ta Prohm Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Collapsed third Enclosures Gallery on North East , Ta- Prohm, Temple

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Conservation and Restoration of Ta Prohm Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Hall of Dancers in Ta- Prohm ,Temple

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Conservation and Restoration of Ta Prohm Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

South Gate , Ta- Prohm ,Temple

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Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has adopted a multidisciplinary integrated scientific approach for the conservation and restoration

of this Temple.

Aims

 To protect the tangible and the intangible values of this temple;

 Maintain the OUV by preserving the authenticity and integrity of the temple complex and undertake minimum

interventions;

 Protect and preserve the natural and the built heritage and ensure its sustainability and maintain the symbiotic relation;

 Make the site more accessible and ensure safety of the visitors;

 To enable transfer of skills and training of local Cambodians

Conservation Strategy

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Archaeologists, Engineers, Epigraphists, Historians and Architects, from Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)

Engineers from Indian Institute of Technology and Larsen and Toubro, to address the issues of structural stability and ensure

effective monitoring of the site

Hydrologists and Engineers from Water and Power Consultancy Services (WAPCOS) to address the issue of water stagnation in the

temple

Scientists, Botanists and Arboriculturists from Forest Research Institute (FRI) and Indian Council for Forest and Education (ICFRE),

for the conservation of the trees

The Multidisciplinary team

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Study of the Structural Systems of the Temple Structural behavior of the Corbelled vaults

Geotechnical studies Hydrological studies

Botanical and Arboriculture studies Material testing

Ground Penetrating Radar Survey Monitoring mechanisms

Technical Studies Undertaken

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Site Plan ,Ta- Prohm, Temple

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Conservation and Restoration of Ta Prohm Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Collapsed third Enclosures Gallery on South East , Ta- Prohm, Temple

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Conservation and Restoration of Ta Prohm Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Causeway Between Third and Fourth Enclosure on West Ta- Prohm, Temple

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Conservation and Restoration of Ta Prohm Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Fourth Enclosure Gopura on West, Ta-Prohm ,Temple

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Conservation and Restoration of Ta Prohm Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Hall Of Dancers, Ta- Prohm,Temple

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Conservation and Restoration of Ta Prohm Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Laterite Wall Along with Gate on Fifth Enclosure (West ),Ta- Prohm, Temple

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Conservation and Restoration of Ta Prohm Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

CRITICAL LOCATIONS , TA-PROHM,TEMPLE

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Conservation and Restoration of Ta Prohm Temple, Siem

Reap, Cambodia

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Ongoing Conservation Work of

“Hall of Dancer”

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Arial view and western elevation before removal of fallen stones

HALL OF DANCERS ,TA-PROHM,TEMPLE

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North-east corner before dismantling inclined wall and removing fallen stones

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In situ plan before removal of fallen stones

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Hall of Dancers - Existing top plan

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Hall of Dancers - Elevations

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Hall of Dancers - Elevations

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Hall of Dancers - Elevations

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Hall of Dancers – Soil Investigations

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Conservation Approach

Conservation based on Anastylosis;

Partial restoration of the Hall of Dancers to reflect the restored structure as well its earlier condition (as it was found);

Essential retrofitting and consolidation of the structure and stone members (structural and ornamental);

No structural “corrections”, to follow the natural undulations of the surfaces;

Minimal intervention; to retain its archaeological value

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Methodology

Comprehensive documentation of the structure and in- situ and stone by stone documentation ;

Partial dismantling of the exterior walls (east, north and west sides) and strengthening of the foundations;

Floor strengthening; Opening up the original two drains;

Repairs and joining of stones (Columns, lintels, pediments, etc., wherever necessary after due

strengthening including strapping, etc., original and new interventions clearly discernible;

Repairs to the semi-vaulted roof (on-going)

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Plan showing the stacking position of fallen stones

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Stone mending Documentation

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Conservation and Restoration of Ta Prohm Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia , Archaeological Survey of India

Hall of Dancers - Mending of broken plinth stones with epoxy, threaded

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Hall of Dancers - Mending of vaults with epoxy, threaded stainless steel

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Hall of Dancers - Mending of broken plinth stones with epoxy, threaded

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Hall of Dancers - Inter northern floor after removal of sandstones and

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Hall of Dancers - Re-laying of interior northern laterite core after

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Hall of Dancers Resembling of main entrance gate on eastern porch.

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Before-2010

During-2011-12

During-2013-14

Eastern Entrance, Hall of Dancers

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Before-2010 During-2011-12

During-2013-14

North-East corner, Hall of Dancers

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North-West corner, Hall of Dancers

Before-2010 During-2011-12

During-2013-14 Conservation and Restoration of Ta Prohm Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

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Before-2010 During-2011-12 During-2013-14 Conservation and Restoration of Ta Prohm Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

North-Western Corner Entrance, Hall of Dancers

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Western Entrance, Hall of Dancers

Before-2010 During-2011-12

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Before-2010 During-2011-12

During-2012-13

Interior of the Hall of Dancers (main passage)

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Interior of Hall of Dancers (North-east)

Before-2010 During-2011-12 During-2013-14

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South-west Corner (Discernible distinction - original and restored portions)

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Hall of Dancers (Northern Passage restoration)

Before-2010 During-2011-12

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Interior elevation before and after removal of fallen stones

Pre-Conservation

During Conservation

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North-west corner restoration - Hall of Dancers

Before-2010 During-2011-12

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Hall of Dancers (north-west corner)

Before-2010 During-2011-12

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Hall of Dancers (North-east Corner)

Before-2010 During-2011-12

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Buddha Statues found near Hall of

Dancers

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Hall of Dancers – Site plan showing location of suspected sculptures

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Buddha statue surface exposed after heavy rains near laterite wall.

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Buddha statue surface exposed after heavy rains near laterite wall.

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Buddha statue (Small size)

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Hall of Dancers - Aerial View of Small Buddha

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Headless Buddha statue (Small Size)

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Buddha statue (Big size) exposed after heavy rains

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Hall of Dancers - Aerial View of Big Buddha

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Recovery of Buddha sculpture

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Headless Buddha statue (Big size)

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Suspected place of Buddha Sculptures in Hall of Dancers

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Conservation and Restoration of Ta Prohm Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia ,

Part of the Golden crown found near Hall of

Dancers

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Visibility part of golden crown - After removal of second layer silt from the laterite

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Recovery part of golden crown from deposit silt - In presence of HE.

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Part of the golden crown - Cleaning process in APSARA office. In presence of

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Part of golden Crown - After cleaning with weight

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Golden Crown

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Pre-Conservation During Conservation

Third Enclosure Gallery, Eastern side South wing

After Conservation

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Third Enclosure Gallery, Eastern side South wing

During

Conservation

After

Conservation

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Third Enclosure Gallery, Eastern side South wing

After Conservation

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Third Enclosure Gallery, Eastern side South wing

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Causeway connecting 3

^rd

and 4

^th

Enclosure West

Pre-Conservation During Conservation After Conservation Conservation and Restoration of Ta Prohm Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

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Entrance Gopurum of 4

^th

Enclosure West

Pre-Conservation During

Conservation

After Conservation

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Entrance Gopurum of 4

^th

Enclosure West

Pre-Conservation During Conservation

After

Conservation

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Entrance Gopurum of 4

^th

Enclosure West

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Entrance Gopurum of 4

^th

Enclosure West

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Laterite Enclosure Wall - Entrance Gopurum of 5

^th

Enclosure West

Pre Conservation

During Conservation

After Conservation

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Reinforcement of central axis Tower (Location no.3)

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Before During

After

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Before During

After

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Conservation and Restoration of Ta Prohm Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

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Conservation and Restoration of Ta Prohm Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

GOPURA ON FIFTH ENCLOSURE (West), TA-PROHM,TEMPLE

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Conservation and Restoration of Ta Prohm Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia, Archaeological Survey of India

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Tilt meters at 4 locations to monitor rate of inclination

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Crack meters installed at 4 location to determine rate of movement

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Tree Support along with weather station

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Wooden Walkways

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Construction of bye pass bridge for exit from south

Before During

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Construction of bye pass bridge for exit from south

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Conservation and Restoration of Ta Prohm Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

FIELD WORKER (ASI),TA-PROHM,TEMPLE

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Future Conservation

Works to be undertaken by ASI (Phase III)

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Plan of Eastern Gate

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East Gate Facing West

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East Gate Facing East

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Conjectural Elevation of East Gate

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South Gate (facing South)

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South Gate - facing North

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